BA Language Studies and Teaching English as a Foreign Language

Program Overview

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Your first year at Essex on the BA Language Studies and Teaching English as a Foreign Language (with Foundation year) course will be with Essex Pathways. In your second year of study, you will join the Department of Language and Linguistics for the remaining three years of study Learn the essentials for teaching languages to others, while simultaneously going through the experience of learning a language yourself. Pass the teaching practice modules and graduate with an additional qualification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (Certificate). Our course is ideal if you want to teach English to non-native speakers, but the knowledge and skills you develop will also prepare you for a range of other possible careers in the media, in administration, in business and in education; in fact, any job where the ability to apply critical thinking to problems, to conduct independent research and to communicate the results of your work to others are required. You study topics which give you a thorough grounding in English Language, and teaching English Language to others, including:

• Linguistics and sociolinguistics
• The structure of the English language
• Second language learning
• Practical training in TEFL methods

You also study up to two of the languages offered at Essex: French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, completing at least one language to a minimum of Proficiency level. These languages are widely used in the business world, and having acquired near fluency, many of our graduates go on to develop successful global careers with international firms. We also offer a month-long summer course with fees paid for by us if you start a language from scratch via the intensive route. We are a leading UK university for language and linguistics research,100% of our research impact in modern languages and linguistics is world-leading (Research Excellence Framework, 2021). If you want a global outlook, are interested in human communication, and want to study for a degree with real-world practical value in a world-class department, welcome home. Why we're great.

• In your second year, you take teaching practice modules. On successful completion, these give you practical experience and a TEFL-initiate qualification recognised by the British Council
• Great flexibility and choice: You can study up to two languages choosing between French, German, Portuguese*, Italian and Spanish. Mandarin Chinese is available at Intensive Initial level
• You will combine practical language study to a high level whilst acquiring the skills and experience to teach English to others

Our expert staff

Our staff are internationally renowned. Their books are often found as key texts on reading lists at other universities and are used as the basis of our teaching in the Department. All our language teachers are native or bilingual speakers, we maintain excellent student-staff ratios, and we language learning is integrated with linguistics in this joint course. In addition to helping you acquire practical foreign language skills, our staff share their expertise with you in the areas of professional translation, interpreting and subtitling, film and art, business, and culture.

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Specialist facilities

• An exciting programme of research seminars and other events
• Our Albert Sloman Library houses a strong collection of books, journals, electronic resources and major archives
• Our Languages for All programme offers you the opportunity to study an additional language alongside your course at no extra cost

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Your future

Studying language and linguistics allows you to develop your research and IT skills by collecting and analysing linguistic data using state-of-the-art technology, and a combination of team-work and independent projects enhances your communication, problem-solving, and management skills. Graduates of our department have gone on to have careers in a wide variety of fields, including teaching (in the UK and abroad), journalism, branding, advertising, marketing, travel, communications, publishing, speech and occupational therapy, interpreting, translating and media. For example, one of our department’s recent graduates is now an Assistant Editor at Scholastic, whilst another teaches English in South Korea. Other graduates have gone on to work for a wide range of high-profile companies including:

• The British Council
• English in Action
• Cambridge University Press
• Macmillan Publishers
• Cambridge University Press
• Decisive Media Ltd

We also work with the University’s Student Development Team to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Program Outline

Course structure

The nature of this course is such that your individual programme will differ depending upon your pre-existing language qualifications/ the language(s) you choose to study during your course. Below is just one example structure from the current academic year of a combination of modules you could take. Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field, therefore all modules listed are subject to change. To view the compulsory modules and full list of optional modules currently on offer, please view the programme specification. We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We’ll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we’ll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

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Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose. Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

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Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits. In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available. Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code . For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

HR	100	4	FY
The department or school the module will be taught by. In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.	The module number.	The UK academic level of the module. A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course. A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules. A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.	The term the module will be taught in. AU : Autumn term SP : Spring term SU : Summer term FY : Full year AP : Autumn and Spring terms PS: Spring and Summer terms AS: Autumn and Summer terms

Year 0 Year 1 Year 2 Final Year This module is designed to prepare students wishing to join a degree course in the Department of Language and Linguistics. It is also a suitable choice for students who simply have an interest in language and it similarly provides a sound academic background for the study of subjects which rely extensively on proficient use of the English language such as Literature, History, Sociology, and Philosophy. View Introduction to Linguistics on our Module Directory This module is designed to prepare students wishing to join a degree course in the Department of Language and Linguistics. It considers some of the theoretical underpinnings of second language acquisition and how these considerations can help inform second language teaching and learning. The areas of focus will include: the learner, the classroom environment and society. View Second Language Learning on our Module Directory This module is designed to support students in their academic subject disciplines and to strengthen their confidence in key skills areas such as: academic writing, research, academic integrity, collaborative and reflective practices. The students are supported through the use of subject-specific materials tailored to their chosen degrees with alignment of assessments between academic subject modules and the skills module. View Research and Academic Development Skills on our Module Directory COMPONENT 04: CORE WITH OPTIONS IA108-3-FY or IA111-3-FY or IA118-3-FY (30 CREDITS) COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS LG110-4-AU or LG111-4-AU (15 CREDITS) View Introduction to the Study of Language on our Module Directory This module provides an introduction to the teaching methodology associated with teaching English as a Foreign or Second Language. It aims to provide students with an overview of the key principles related to the areas outlined in the syllabus, and therefore provide a basis from which students may move onto the Initial Teaching Practice module, LG666. By the end of the module, students will have been introduced to the key methodology associated with TEFL and they will have developed their knowledge of productive and receptive skills in language teaching. Additionally, various techniques for organizing and managing the class will be explored, and the students will be introduced to lesson planning for the EFL context. Lastly, and importantly, this module will provide an overview of TEFL which is sufficient to prepare students for a more successful hands-on teaching practice module. View Introduction to TEFL Methodology on our Module Directory This module explores significant methodological aspects of English language teaching from a theoretical perspective. You will understand how to apply the theory to practice through your lesson plans. View Theory and Practice in English Language Teaching on our Module Directory COMPONENT 05: OPTIOL Language (higher intermediate or above) or Intensive Initial Part 1 and 2 (30 CREDITS) COMPONENT 06: OPTIOL Language (Initial to Advanced) or Intensive Initial Part 1 and 2 (30 CREDITS) What are your skills? And how do they fit in with your career plans? Build your employability skills through this non-credit bearing but obligatory module. Attend workshops and events, engage in activities to raise your employability and build your knowledge of the graduate job market. View Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics on our Module Directory Put teaching theory into practice by planning and delivering a range of grammar, vocabulary and skills development lessons. Starting with a fully guided session and culminating in an independently planned lesson, the support from your tutor lessens each week as you develop your ability to prepare and plan your teaching. View Initial Teaching Practice on our Module Directory COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS LG329-5-AU or LG219-5-SP (15 CREDITS) Discover the steps involved in undertaking a research project in language and linguistics and develop your own final-year project. Topics include: Reviewing literature; Formulating research questions and hypotheses; Choosing a suitable research design; Data collection; Analysis techniques; Reporting findings. You will learn through a mixture of lectures, seminars and lab sessions to build your knowledge, skills, and confidence in researching, structuring, and writing a research project. View Research methods for language and linguistics on our Module Directory COMPONENT 04: OPTIOL Language (Advanced or above) option(s) from list (30 CREDITS) COMPONENT 05: OPTIOL Language (Lower Intermediate or above) option(s) from list (30 CREDITS) What are your skills? And how do they fit in with your career plans? Build your employability skills through this non-credit bearing but obligatory module. Attend workshops and events, engage in activities to raise your employability and build your knowledge of the graduate job market. View Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics on our Module Directory COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS LG831-6-FY or LG832-6-FY (30 CREDITS) How do you select literature for a language class? What are the distinctive features of literature for classroom use? What practical activities can language teachers undertake using literature? Learn to incorporate literature into the language classroom. Examine novels, poetry and drama, and understand how to use drama in the classroom. View Literature and Language Teaching on our Module Directory COMPONENT 03: OPTIOL Language (Proficiency or above) option(s) from list (30 CREDITS) COMPONENT 04: OPTIOL Language (Higher Intermediate or above) option(s) from list (30 CREDITS) COMPONENT 05: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS LG362-6-SP or LG378-6-SP (15 CREDITS) What are your skills? And how do they fit in with your career plans? Build your employability skills through this non-credit bearing but obligatory module. Attend workshops and events, engage in activities to raise your employability and build your knowledge of the graduate job market. View Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics on our Module Directory

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Teaching

• In addition to the compulsory modules that you must take, you can combine a number of modules of your choice to reflect your own interest in linguistics
• Teaching methods include lectures, small classes, seminars and presentations
• You will acquire experience of teaching small groups of students as part of our Teaching Practice modules where you will plan, deliver and evaluate your own lessons. Classes are given to the family members of international students and to refugees living in the local area.

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Assessment

• Assessment is by a combination of coursework (assignments, essays and tests) and end-of-year examinations
• Other assessment methods include quizzes, presentations, portfolios, group work, and projects